EU, Afghan officials begin talks on strategic deal

KABUL): Afghan officials and a visiting European Union (EU) team on Monday began talks on a long-term strategic cooperation agreement, a foreign ministry official said.

The EU delegation led by David Tirr, head of unit of Afghanistan, Sri Lanka Bangladesh and the Maldives, arrived in Kabul on Monday for talks on the agreement, deputy foreign minister Javid Ludin told reporters.

He said the agreement would set a framework for EU political support with Afghanistan for a decade after foreign soldiers’ withdrawal in 2014.

The 60-article document would be discussed in a series of meetings between the two sides, he said, adding it was a comprehensive agreement that would help strengthen bilateral ties between EU and Afghanistan.

David Tirr told the conference that EU wanted to work in partnership with Afghanistan on good governance, brining reforms to the judicial system, protecting human and women rights as part of the long-term deal.

He added EU member countries wanted to increase trade relations with Kabul and investments to see Afghanistan become a stable and prosperous country.

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